Te Puna Plan - Western Bay of Plenty District Council

7. Environmental Stewardship
Vision
Protect and enhance wetlands, riparian margins, significant landscapes
and natural environment ‘opportunities’.
Discussion
(cont)
The Pirirakau Environmental Management Plan 2004 and the Wairoa
River Strategy also provide valuable policy and initiatives promoting
environmental stewardship. Actions should be supported that align with
the Te Puna Plan
Outcome 1
Discussion
Discussion
(cont)
That Te Puna remain a ‘green wedge’ between Tauranga City and
urban development in Omokoroa by the development of a “mountains to
the sea” corridor to enhance biodiversity, natural character and passive
recreational opportunities.
There are currently a number of care groups within the Te Puna area
that are protecting and enhancing the wetlands, riparian margins,
estuaries and ultimately the harbour foreshore and indeed the harbour
itself.
They are:
Waikaraka Estuary Managers Inc, are reclaiming open waters from
mangroves, removing large amounts of rubbish (old car bodies, tyres,
and garden waste), planting riparian margins, weed and pest control, all
the time liaising with local authorities and the scientific communities.
Te Puna Estuary Managers, who are reclaiming the estuary from the
mangroves and, planting margins to encourage native birds.
Encouraging the large wetland adjacent to Jess Road and regenerating
the historic Pukemanu Pa site as well as other amenity planting in their
area and undertaking weed and pest control measures.
Nga Tahatai O Te Puna Group, who were recently formed to restore
the Te Puna foreshore from Rarapua all the way to the Wairoa River
and including Motuhoa Island.
Te Puna Quarry Park. Now a well established community group
reshaping the old quarry site into a spectacular botanical park.
Upper Waikaraka Streamcare Group (previously Oturu Stream Care
Group). This is a new group currently being formed to enhance and
protect the Upper Waikaraka Stream. This steam flows under the road
from the Minden near the Te Puna Store and curves round the front of
Armstrong Road properties to merge with the Oturu Stream which flows
from the Quarry Park, through I’Anson Reserve and ultimately they flow
as one into the Waikaraka Estuary.
These groups need support and co-ordination to more effectively
achieve their objectives.
The short distance from the Minden to the harbour edge creates a
realistic opportunity to develop a “green corridor” as the backbone to
rural Te Puna. Key elements already exist in terms of coast, rivers,
roadways (existing and paper roads) and parks. The challenge is to link
these elements into a continuous corridor. Opportunities for passive
recreation should be explored. The main objective however is to
enhance rural character and biodiversity.
Actions
1. Heartlands will work with and support the care groups to achieve more
effective use of scarce resources including seeking additional funding.
2. Heartlands seek support from Council, Department of Conservation,
Environment BOP and Landcare Trust NZ, as well as landowners to create a
“mountains to the sea” corridor including appropriate access and recreational
opportunities.
3. Support recommendations of the Wairoa River Strategy to protect and enhance
adjoining margins, small reserves and boat ramps within the Te Puna area.
4. Help develop small Council reserves so that their potential is better known and
they provide another link in the overall plan
5. Work alongside Council staff to better improve, maintain and develop existing
reserves including the recreational potential of the Waitui, I’Anson Park,
Minden Reserve, Te Houtu Reserve (Lindoch Avenue), Minden Lookout,
Wairoa River margins and the Ohourere Stream at Crawford Road.
6. Bridleways and cycle tracks connecting the above reserves with the coast and
Kaimai Forest should also be investigated.
7. That the large remaining wetlands on the Wairoa River and its mouth area at
Oikimoke be reinstated to help filter contaminant flow to the harbour; build
wildlife populations; and maintain an important cultural base for local iwi and
environmental education.
Heartlands will make submissions to all relevant agencies to achieve the
protection of the remaining wetlands including lobbying QE11 Trust and the
Councils and investigating protection under the waahi tapu process.
Te Puna Community Plan March 2007 Page 16